Electrical connectors



Sept. 7, 1965 c. CROWTHER ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS Original Filed July 9,1959 INVENTOR. EdmonaCCrowiher United States Patent 3,205,473 ELECTRICALCONNECTQRS Edmond C. Crowther, Alden Park Manor, Philadelphia 44, Pa.

Uriginal application July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 826,017,'now Patent No.3,083,348, dated Mar. 26, 1963. Divided and this application 'Aug. 1,1962, Ser. No. 214,004

Claims. (Cl. 339-246) in a termination in order to pass from oneconductor to another conductor. In addition to this there is acontinuing problem of loosening of the termination between the twoconductors. Prior terminations proposed to overcome these problems havepresented additional problems in assembly which are tedious anddiflicult for the user to solve.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electricaltermination means which because of its simplicity provides ease inoperation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a termination meanswhich is capable of being axially telescoped with the free end of asecondary conductor and which then can be operated to clamp saidsecondary conductor. Still another object of this invention is toprovide a terminal means which is capable of telescopically accepting astraight section of the free end of a bare Wire and then deforming saidwire in a single plane to provide a strain relief means due to thetortuous paths assumed by the clamped wire.

A further object of this invention is to provide a termination meansadaptable to be formed in the free end of a primary conductor such as abus bar.

Other objects of this invention will become more apparent when thespecification is read in conjunction with the attached drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial section of an embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the same devicein released or unclamped position;

FIG. 4 is another modification to the present invention shown inperspective view and partially in section;

FIG. 5 is an end view taken along line 5-5 of the device shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 discloses still another modification to the present invention andis shown as a partially sectioned perspective view of said modification;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of the modification shownin FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an expanded view of a further embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the device shown in FIG. 8 in finalassembled clamped position.

Referring now to the drawing, a terminal connector mean ztl whichembodies the principles of this invention generally includes a body orbase means 22, a restricting or clamping means 24 and a screw threadedoperating means 26.

A device embodying principles of the present invention is shown inFIGURES 13. In this embodiment the base "ice means 22:: is provided witha pair of upstanding flange elements 56 and 58 along the oppositelongitudinal edges of said base means 22a. The flange 56 has beenremoved in FIG. 1 for purposes of clarity in illustration. A thirdupstanding flange 60 is provided at the free end of the base 22a. Flange60 is provided at the free end of the base 22a. Flange 60 has a lowerportion 62 which projects outwardly and upwardly from the centralportion of base means 22a and forms an obtuse included angle therewith.The upper or second portion 64 of flange 60 is substantiallyperpendicular to base beans 22a. At the opposite end and transverse tocentral portion 54 of base 22a there is provided a fourth upstandingflange 66 which with the other flange elements forms a cup-like member.The upper end of flange 66 is shown in this embodiment as being integralwith a horizontally extending bus bar 67. Flange 60, in its upperportion 64, is provided with a pair of spaced apertures whose axes areparallel to the axis of the connector as a whole and are adapted for theacceptance of wires 50a.

The clamp means 24a is provided with a pair of depending fingers ttiaand 42:: respectively along each longitudinal edge. These fingers 42::are provided with an upturned portion 68 which is angularlycomplementary to the lower portion 62 of flange 69.

The screw element 26a is telescopically associated With clamping means24a and is rotatably assembled thereto by suitable means such as theoutstanding annular rib or shoulder 70. Screw 26a is also telescopicallyassembled with the screw threaded aperture 36a positioned centrally ofthe central portion 54 of the base means 22a. Thus retrograde movementof the screw 26a will jack up the clamping means 24a relative to thebase means 22a by cooperation of the annular rib 70 with the undersideof the clamping means 24a. To prevent inadvertent removal of this screwfrom the base means, the extremity of the threaded portion is deformedas at 72 by suitable means such as p-eening whereby the threads aredistorted and removal is prevented.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the hated ends ofwires are inserted through apertures a until their free ends abut theflange 66. It should be noted that the wires in their initial form aresubstantially straight in configuration and circular in cross section ascan be seen in FIG. 3. Tightening of the screw member 2611 moves theclamping means 24a relatively downwardly into juxtaposition with thecentral portion 54 of the base means 22a whereby the wires Silt: aredistorted downwardly adjacent apertures 30a by the extension 68 of thefingers 42a so as to conform to the inner surface of the lower portion62 of flange 64. Similarly, the fingers a and clamp 24:: compress thefree ends as can be best seen in FIG. 2. The provision of the flange 66as a stop means insures that an adequate amount of wire is introducedinto the connector so that a suflicient area of wire is in contactbetween the central portion 54 and the wire a to insure a goodelectrical contact. The tortuous paths of the wire through aperture Stlaand down the inside surface of the lower portion of 62 of flange 64,thence longitudinally of central portion 54 and finally compressed byfinger 4th: results in a securely fastened connection. The wire isprevented from lateral movement by the ribbing of fingers 4th and 42::as Well as the passageway defined by the flanges 56 and 58 when takenrespectively in combination with the apertures 30a, the central portionof the base means 22a, the clamping means 24a and the screw means 26a.To remove the wire, the retrogarde motion of screw 26a will jack theclamp 24a upwardly relative to the base 2241 by means of shoulder andpermit relatively easy axial movement of the wire even in kinkedcondition.

A modification to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5wherein similar numerals are utilized to designate similar parts withthe addition of the sufiix b. In this embodiment, the base means, 22b isformed to provide a central portion 54b which is substantially flat inthe median portion thereof but tapers downwardly as at 80 in oppositedirections along the longitudinal axis to the point of junction withupwardly extending flanges 28!) tion 62c.

and 66b, the said flanges being substantially perpendicular to thecentral portion 54b; vOneor more apertures 30]) are formed in flange 28band are spaced verticallyfrom; the juncture of flange 28b with extension80 and laterally from the free edges of said flange 28b. A threadedaperture 36b is formed centrally of central portion 5412. A

flange 32b extends along one edge of the central portion 54b and saidangular extensions 80 and terminates in the vicinity of flanges 28b and66b respectively. It is integral with median portion 5415 but is notattached to the edges of downwardly extending extensions 80. Said flange321i has been removed in FIG. '4 for purposes of clarity in illustrationbut is shown in end view in FIG. 5.

Clamping means 24b is complementary in size and shape to the polygonalcup-like means defined by flanges28b, 32b, 66b and central base portion54b. It is provided along one longitudinal edge with a pair ofoppositely ex-- tending depending finger means 40b and42b. with at leastone of said fingers being reversely, bent upwardly at its free end as.at 68b. On the opposite longitud-inaledge is a depending flange 46dadapted for engagement with central portion 54b opposite to flange3215.. Clamping means 24b is provided with a central aperture 33bsuitable for the 4. to conform to the inside angular relationship oflower por- It also compresses the end of the wire at its free extremity.The upstanding flange 65c acts as a stop means to predetermine thedesired insert length for the wire 50c. p

The last embodiment to be discussed is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ofthedrawings. While the function of this device is similar to the otherembodiments, it is slightly different in physical arrangement. Similarnumerals will be used to designate similar parts with the addition ofthe sutfix d. The base means22d is generally rectangular in shape andcan be an independentmember .as shown, with suitable means acceptableinaperture 88 for fastening to the termination of a conductor, not shown,or as in the other embodiments may form an integral part of thefree endof a bus bar. Positioned along each longitudinal edge is an upturnedtransverse flange 90 and a depending 'anvil or finger 34d both of whicharelanc/ed or sheared from the material within the margins oflthe basemeans 22d. A.screw threaded aperture 36d is centrally positioned in basemeans 22d intermediate the anvils 34d.

The clamping means 24;! is generally T-shaped in plan view with a pairof depending flanges 46d positioned at the A central aperture 38d isprovided for the telescopic actelescopic acceptance of a screw threadedmember 2611,

said screw threaded member 26b being rotatably assembled to clampingmeans 24b'by suitable means such as the substantially annular rib 705.As in the previous embodiments, the aperture b positioned in flange 28bis located in line with the fingers 40b and 42b and is parallel to butin spaced relation to the central portion 54b. Insertion of the wire 50bin a straight condition and the later downward actuation of the screw26b results in a vertical distortion of the wire through thecomplementary anvil action of fingers 42b and 46b in cooperation withthe downwardly extending portions 89. The clamping means 24b isnonrotatably associated with basemeans 22b by the cooperativeassociation of its ends with the flanges 28b and 66 as well. as its sideedge cooperating with the vertical flange 32b. The depending flange 46bwhich cooperates with the central portion 54b spacesthe surface of clamp24b from the central portion 54b and thereby forestalls fracture of thewire 5% whendistorted by its bend between aperture 30band adjoiningextension 81' Still another embodiment of this invention is disclosed inFIGS. 6 and 7 wherein similar numerals are utilized to it designatesimilar parts with the addition of the suflix In this embodiment thebase means 220 is substantially identical-in configuration to the formshown in FIGS. 1

through 3 with the exception that a single Wire form is shown hereinstead of the double wireform shown above.

The single flange 56c has beenremoved in FIG. 6 for clarity ofillustration but is clearly shown in'FIG. 7. The 0 end flange 600 isagain provided with a lower portion 620 and an upper portion 64c. Theupper portion 640 is substantially perpendicular to the central portion540 and the lower portion 620 forms an'incl-uded obtuse angle therewith.

The clamping means 24c in this embodiment is substantially a domedwasher having at least one flat edge 86fo1" cooperation with the flange56c to prevent relative rotation between the members. is rotatablyassembled to the screw means 26c by any suitable means of the typegenerally discussed previously.

Deformation of the wire takes place when the screw means 260 is rotateddownwardly bringing the upturned margins of the dished washer at one endinto engagement with the wire 50c whereby the latter is distorteddownwardly The clamping member 240' ceptance of a screwv 26d, shown inphantom in FIG. 8 for clarity of illustration. The screw 26a isrotatably assembled to the clamp means 24dv so that clamp means 24d canbe jacked relative to the base means 22d when the screw 26d isthreadedly associated with the screw threaded aperture 36d. Theoperation of this device is similar to the first embodiment with theadditional provision thatthe upturned flanges 90 act as stop means forthe'measurement of wire'Stld. in the same fashion'as upturned flange 66in the previous embodiments. Stops 90 also provide an abutment forpreventing total collapse of fingers d while deforming the wiredownwardly on anvil 34d. The positioning of'fin'gersdld is controlled sothat their biting edge extends slightly beyond the complementary endedge 92 of baseZZd whereby said edge 92 acts as an anvil and incooperation with fingers 42d distorts thewire a downwardly and away fromthe distortion created by fingers 40d. The rotation preventing means inthis embodiment is provided by the cooperation of the inside'surfaces ofdownwardly depending flanges 46d and the .outer longitudinal margins ofbasemeans 22a in the area 'of the downwardly extending fingers 34d. Toinsure capturing of the wires SOo'the flanges 46d are of greater extentat the entering or, accepting end of the terminal means so as to insureno lateral movement of Y the wire 50d during the. clamping operation;

Thus, an improved terminal connector has been disclosed which providesfor thedistortion of astraight sectioniof 'wire between non-rotatable.elementswhich are movable relative to one another; A tortuous path isdescribed by the wire .after being clamped between the elements as wellas providing a substantial extent of surface contact. between the wireand the terminal member. The

' means in place of screw 26. since this would result in the samejacking effect obtained by the devices disclosed herein. Each of theembodiments is capable of being formed at the free extremity of a busbar whereby the contact. of the wire would be directly with the currentsource in the bus bar eliminating the resistance developed in asecondary connection means. If this is not feasible due to the size ormaterial of the bus bar, then any of these embodiments shown above canbe independently fabricated and fastened by suitable means such aswelding, brazing, riveting, etc. to the conductor carrying the currentsource or be mounted as an independent element in a terminal board forthe acceptance of one or more connectors from an external source.

While many other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, it is the intent of the inventor to be limited onlyby the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector for removably retaining a conducting wireincluding base means, clamping means and rotary threaded fastener means,all of said means in combination forming at least one passageway capableof accepting a substantially straight free end portion of said wire,complementary means on said base means and clamping means for distortingand impinging upon said wire, said distorting means on said base meansincluding a first flange means extending outwardly at an obtuse anglefrom its juncture with said base means and thence upwardly substantiallyperpendicular to said base means, aperture means in the perpendicularportion of said first flange spaced axially from said base means andadapted to accept said wire to prevent vertical and lateral movement ofsaid wire relative to said base means, depending substantially rigidfinger means formed from within but parallel and adjacent to the marginsof said clamping means which are complementary to said first flangemeans and adapted upon actuation of said fastener means to distort saidwire downwardly from its initially straight inserted position as itextends into the connector between the base means and clamping means andlocated within the aperture in said first flange means so as to distortand clamp the wire against said base means in a tortuous path, saidfastener means being rotatably connected to said clamping means wherebysaid clamping means can be jacked relative to said base means,imperforate second flange means extending upwardly from said base meansin spaced opposition to the first mentioned flange means whereby saidsecond flange means acts as a stop to limit the extent of insertion ofsaid wire in its initially straight condition.

2. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping meansis complementary to said base means and engages said first and secondflange means and is movable along said first and second flange meansnon-rotatably relative to said base means, said downwardly extendingfinger means being at least two in number and extending in oppositedirections from the same side of said clamping means which arecomplemental to said extensions and which when said clamping means ismoved toward said base form a tortuous path which distorts and clampssaid wire. I

3. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said first flangemeans extends upwardly away from its juncture with said base means at anobtuse angle.

4. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said first flangemeans extends downwardly at an obtuse angle from its juncture with saidbase means.

5. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said base meansincludes a substantially flat median portion with said first and secondflange means extending downwardly in opposite directions from saidmedian portion and both thence extending upwardly substantiallyperpendicular to said median portion, said first flange means beingprovided with two apertures spaced from said base means and transverselyspaced in said first flange means on opposite sides of a planeperpendicular to said flange means and passing through the axis of saidfastener means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,758,978 5/30Rosen 339-246 2,043,512 6/36 Hoover 339-272 X 2,305,503 12/42 Tenney339-266 X 2,437,339 3/48 Webster. 2,712,123 6/55 Wibell et al. 3392463,081,507 5/63 Gribble 339-246 X FOREIGN PATENTS 242,434 10/46 Sweden.

ALBERT H. KAMPE, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR REMOVABLY RETAINING A CONDUCTING WIREINCLUDING BASE MEANS, CLAMPING MEANS AND ROTARY THREADED FASTENER MEANS,ALL OF SAID MEANS IN COMBINATION FORMING AT LEAST ONE PASSAGEWAY CAPABLEOF ACCEPTING A SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT FREE END PORTION OF SAID WIRE,COMPLEMENTARY MEANS ON SAID BASE MEANS AND CLAMPING MEANS FOR DISTORTINGAND IMPINGING UPON SAID WIRE, SAID DISTORTING MEANS ON SAID BASE MEANSINCLUDING A FIRST FLANGE MEANS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AT AN OBTUSE ANGLEFROM ITS JUNCTURE WITH SAID BASE MEANS AND THENCE UPWARDLY SUBSTANTIALLYPERPENDICULAR TO SAID BASE MEANS, APERTURE MEANS IN THE PERPENDICULARPORTION OF SAID FIRST FLANGE SPACED AXIALLY FROM SAID BASE MEANS ANDADAPTED TO ACCEPT SAID WIRE TO PREVENT VERTICAL AND LATERAL MOVEMENT OFSAID WIRE RELATIVE TO SAID BASE MEANS, DEPENDING SUBSTANTIALLY RIGIDFINGER MEANS FORMED FROM WITHIN BUT PARALLEL AND ADJACENT TO THE MARGINSOF SAID CLAMPING MEANS WHICH ARE COMPLEMENTARY OF SAID FIRST FLANGEMEANS AND ADAPTED UPON ACTUATION OF SAID FASTENER MEANS TO DISTORT SAIDWIRE DOWNWARDLY FROM ITS INITIALLY STRAIGHT INSERTED POSITION AS ITEXTENDS INTO THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE BASE MEANS AND CLAMPING MEANS ANDLOCATED WITHIN THE APERTURE IN SAID FIRST FLANGE MEANS SO AS TO DISTORTAND CLAMP THE WIRE AGAINST SAID BASE MEANS IN A TORTUOUS PATH, SAIDFASTENER MEANS BEING ROTATABLY CONNECTED TO SAID CLAMPING MEANS WHEREBYSAID CLAMPING MEANS CAN BE JACKED RELATIVE TO SAID BASE MEANS,IMPERFORATE SECOND FLANGE MEANS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE MEANSIN SPACED OPPOSITION TO THE FIRST MENTIONED FLANGE MEANS WHEREBY SAIDSECOND FLANGE MEANS ACTS AS A STOP TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF INSERTION OFSAID WIRE IN ITS INITIAL STRAIGHT CONDITION.